Lawsuit filed over state takeover of Little Rock schoolsLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Three former Little Rock School Board members and a resident are suing Arkansas Education Commissioner Tony Wood and the state Board of Education in an effort to overturn the state takeover of the Little Rock district. The lawsuit was filed Friday in Pulaski County Circuit Court on behalf of former board members Dianne Curry, Jim Ross and C.E. McAdoo and resident Doris Pendleton. The state board had no authority to take over...

Officials warn of canceled highway projectsLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Voter-approved proposals have helped Arkansas weather declines in state and federal highway funding, and transportation officials are working with state lawmakers on a long-term solution before the proposals expire and projects stall. The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department has increased spending by nearly 70 percent from 2008 to 2013, according to the Federal Highway Administration's annual highway statisti...

Flags at half-staff in honor Korean War soldierLITTLE ROCK (AP) — United States and Arkansas flags are flying at half-staff in honor of a Korean War soldier whose remains were recently identified and returned to the state. Gov. Asa Hutchinson ordered the flags be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday to honor and in memory of Cpl. C.G. Bolden of Clinton. Bolden was taken prisoner in South Korea in January 1951 and is believed to have died about three months later of starva...

Professor, 2 others dead in what police call murder-suicideMAUMELLE (AP) — A University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor, his wife and his sister have been found dead in their burning home in Maumelle in what police say appears to be a murder-suicide. The bodies were found by firefighters about 10 p.m. Friday. Police say the body of one woman was found near the front door, another woman was found in a bedroom and the man was found in the living room. Police told reporters that each victim was shot...

Authorities seek nephew of slain Sweet Home womanSWEET HOME (AP) — The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office says detectives are searching for the nephew of a Sweet Home woman who was found dead in her home. The department said in a news release that Houston Henry, 55, is wanted for capital murder the death of Joyce Taylor, 77. Taylor was found dead in her home Feb. 13 by deputies who were asked to check on her welfare. The department says only that Taylor did not die of natural causes and Lt. Chr...

Huckabee's challenge: Reaching beyond cultural conservativesWOODSTOCK, Ga. (AP) — Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee travels the country in a bus adorned with his smiling face and the cover of his latest book. But the ordained Baptist minister and potential 2016 presidential candidate makes it clear that he's interested in more than best-seller lists. "I think everyone understands where this is headed," Huckabee said after signing books in metro Atlanta. After all, he joked, he didn't recently leave hi...

University president opposes highway funding billLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The president of the Arkansas State University System says a bill to compensate for dwindling highway maintenance and construction funding would be "catastrophic" for higher education in the state. Charles Welch told the system Board of Trustees on Friday that he opposed the bill approved a day earlier by the House Public Transportation Committee. The measure would gradually divert the money from the state's general re...

1 dead in traffic accident from wintry weatherLITTLE ROCK (AP) — A 17-year-old boy died Friday in an Arkansas traffic accident related to rain, sleet and snow from an artic high pressure system bringing wintry weather until Saturday afternoon. Rogers police said the boy, whose identity wasn't released, died after the vehicle he was in slid off of an icy road and into Lake Atalanta. Two others in the car escaped and alerted authorities. State safety and transportation authorities didn't re...

German steel company to buy vacant buildingOSCEOLA (AP) — The Osceola City Council agreed on the proposed sale of a vacant building to the German steel company SMS. The council voted Thursday to sell the $12 million factory that was opened by German-based steel company Beckmann Volmer in 2011, The Jonesboro Sun reported. SMS would complement the Big River Steel mill that is expected to open in Osceola within the next few years. SMS expects to supply $600 million of steel mill equipment...

Southern Arkansas University trustees name new presidentMAGNOLIA (AP) — The Southern Arkansas University Board of Trustees has selected SAU's provost and vice president of academic affairs as the university's next president. The board on Thursday named Trey Berry from among three finalists to become SAU's 12th president. Berry will take over on July 1, following the retirement on June 30 of current SAU System President David Rankin.

Justices hear arguments on lethal injection lawLITTLE ROCK (AP) — A case that examines whether a 2013 law gives the state's correction department too much authority in setting lethal-injection protocol is now before the Arkansas Supreme Court. The court on Thursday heard oral arguments from an assistant state attorney general and a lawyer representing nine death-row inmates. Pulaski County Judge Wendell Griffen last year put lethal injections on hold in the state. He said the law stipulati...

Students share morning mealDARDANELLE — Students at Dardanelle Primary School are receiving the most important meal of the day with their peers. Breakfast in the classroom allows the district's youngest students to enjoy a nutritious meal as soon as the day begins — ensuring healthy, active minds. Food Services Coordinator Kerri Figueroa said parents have been supportive of the program, which began this school year with the district's kindergarten through third-grade st...

Bond hearings (Feb. 20)The following individuals appeared during felony bond hearings Friday at the Pope County Detention Center. Their names, ages, anticipated charges and bond amounts are listed. If charged, they will appear March 30 in Pope County Circuit Court. • Maryah Napier, 23, theft by receiving — $7,500. On Thursday, Napier was stopped on Interstate 40 near mile marker 87 for drifting onto the shoulder, according to a police report. After issuing Napier a ...

Russellville officers receive awardsThe Russellville Police Department handed out awards to seven officers for accomplishments in 2014 during a ceremony Wednesday. Two officers received the Meritorious Award — Detective Steve Barker and Detective Ricky Hendrix. The Meritorious Award is given for outstanding job accomplishment. Chief Jeff Humphrey said Barker was recognized for his "continuous and passionate commitment in investigating crimes against children." Humphrey said Hend...

RPD creates child-friendly interview roomThe Russellville Police Department (RPD) has transformed one of its three interview rooms into a child-friendly environment where young victims and witnesses can comfortably talk to police. Detective Steve Barker, who specializes in crimes against children, led the charge on creating the space. "After what these kids are going through — even going through the interview process — as comfortable as we can make them, the better. Why wouldn't we d...

A&P donates $21,000 for turf planA compromise between two city entities created a solution for the Russellville Recreation and Parks Commission's $32,000 turf management plan. The Russellville Advertising and Promotions (A&P) Commission unanimously approved a one-to-three matching donation of up to $21,000 during its meeting Thursday. The Russellville City Council voted to provide $7,000 during its meeting Thursday, which will supplement the $5,000 the Recreation and Parks Co...

Church briefs (Feb. 20, 2015)Singing at Gospel Lighthouse postponed The gospel singing and potluck originally scheduled for this evening at Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church of God has been postponed due to winter weather. The event has been rescheduled for Friday, March 20. For more information, call (479) 747-3744. Slaty Crossing Free Will Baptist revival The Slaty Crossing Free Will Baptist Church will be in revival Monday through Wednesday. Bro. Jamie Burris, the c...

What does God’s law require?Last time we noted that a person comes to recognize sin from the law of God. God’s law — God’s Word, the Bible — shows us our sin and misery. That raises another question: what does God’s law require? More specifically, what does God’s law require of us? Jesus Christ gave this summary of God’s law in Matthew 22: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first comm...

Let God’s children praise HimIf we are a child of God, then we have a lot to thank Him for and praise Him for. I know I can never thank Him or praise Him enough for what he has done for me all through my life. Most of all, though, I want to thank Him and praise Him for his gift of salvation — he sent his only begotten son to be tortured and to die on a cross for my sins. For without Him dying for my sins, I would have no hope of eternal life with God and Jesus Christ afte...

by
Barbara Ann Freeman TownsendThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Arkansas Tech faculty members promoted, granted tenureEighteen members of the Arkansas Tech University faculty were promoted and 11 faculty members were granted tenure by the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees during its meeting Thursday inside the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center. Policies and procedures regarding faculty evaluation, promotion and tenure were developed by an independent faculty committee in spring 1995 and approved by the board on June 15, 1995. The promotion and tenu...